Uses

Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

Arabinogalactins, substances found in many plants, are long molecules made of the sugars galactose and arabinose linked together in a chain. Arabinogalactan extracted from the Western larch tree (larch arabinogalactan, or LA) has been proposed as an immune stimulant.

Therapeutic Uses

Test-tube
and
animal studies
suggest that LA has several potentially positive effects on the immune system. It appears to activate a type of white blood cell called a “natural killer” or NK cell, and perhaps other white blood cells as well, and also possibly alter levels of immune-related substances such as interleukins, interferon, and properdin.
1-5

On the basis of these findings, LA has been advocated as a supplement for
general immune support
. However, this recommendation is premature. It is a very, very long way from basic science of this type to evidence that a treatment has real effectiveness. Many plant substances appear to activate the immune system; this may be merely because the immune system regards them as “the enemy,” and mobilizes to fight them. It takes
double-blind, placebo-controlled trials
to determine whether theoretical effects translate into real life benefits, and thus far only one such study has been performed on LA as an immune stimulant. Unfortunately, this single meaningful trial was not designed to determine the actual medical benefits (if any) of LA. Rather, it primarily continued the theoretical investigation of LA’s effects on components of the immune system.

In this trial, 48 healthy women were assigned to receive one of four treatments: LA, echinacea, LA plus echinacea, or placebo.
6
Researchers evaluated various laboratory measurements of immune function. The results failed to show that LA by itself had any effect on immunity.

Dosage

A typical dose of powdered LA is 3 to 9 grams daily.

Safety Issues

Based on animal studies and limited evidence in humans, LA appears to be essentially nontoxic.
13
However, like other sources of dietary fiber, LA might lead to colonic problems like bloating and flatulence.

One additional set of potential risks derives from its supposed benefits: If LA does in fact meaningfully stimulate the immune system, it might be dangerous. The immune system is balanced on a knife's edge. An immune system that is too relaxed fails to defend us from infections; an immune system that is too active attacks healthy tissues, causing autoimmune diseases. If LA truly boosts immunity, it might cause or worsen such conditions as
lupus
,
Crohn’s disease
,
asthma
,
Graves’ disease
,
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
,
multiple sclerosis
, or
rheumatoid arthritis
, among other problems. In addition, people who take immune suppressant drugs for organ transplants would be at risk of organ rejection. However, there is no actual evidence that it causes problems.

Maximum safe doses in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Interactions You Should Know About

If you are taking an immunosuppressant drug such as
cyclosporine
,
methotrexate
, or
corticosteroids
, use of LA could conceivably decrease the drug’s effectiveness by stimulating your immune system.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.